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Thursday, September 4, 2008

So I took Jackson to a roller rink with some friends to celebrate his birthday. Yes, his birthday was last month. Yes, we had a birthday party for family weeks ago. It's a never-ending extravaganza.

Anyway, he and a couple friends went roller skating last night. Most everyone wore their inline skates. Except for a couple people on the rink who were wearing roller skates. You know - 4 wheels not in a line. I didn't even know they still made roller skates! Actually, maybe they don't. These looked like they might have been around since 1970. Anyway, this one guy, wearing roller skates of course, was doing some sort of, hmmm, I don't really know how to describe it. At first glance, I thought he was having a seizure in the middle of the rink. On second thought, I decided he wasn't actually in need of medical attention and was moving that way on purpose. OK, what on God's green earth is this guy doing? The chicken dance? Is he trying to march? Maybe it's the macarena? What the crap is he doing? Oh my gosh! He's dancing! I think he's trying to dance! Is he doing the... is that the... why, I think he's doing THE HUSTLE!

So Disco Bob (I named him Disco Bob. Catchy, isn't it?) is out there stayin' alive and I'm standing on the side lines trying to pay attention to Jackson and gang, but I'm somehow mesmerized by Disco Bob. What makes a grown person want to devote his free time to the lost art of roller disco? I was just waiting for some girl in leg warmers (perhaps Olivia Newton John) to join him.

Ahhh yes, Gene Kelly on skates again, a veritable circus sideshow in the middle of a roller ring complete with tight rope walkers, an Evil Knievel-like jump over a bunch of snazzily dressed skaters, Olivia Newton John blasting off to her home planet, and more big hair than my high school yearbook. What? It could happen. Just be thankful I didn't share the long version where she changes clothes like 24 times! That's 8 minutes and 3 seconds I'll never get back.

You'd think I'd have a point after all that. Hmmm, note to self: make sure your stories have a point in the future.

HERE'S a link to my review blog where I've got a couple giveaways and HERE'S a link to Michelle's blog where she's got a contest too! Check them out or I'll post the long version of the Xanadu grand finale!

59 comments:

You would do that? You would actually force us to watch the Xanadu grand finale long version? The fact that you would even consider that as a possibility tells me that this staying up late thing is getting to you. Please go to bed!!!

Well, I only made it 40 seconds into the video and I had to turn it off. You know why? Xanadu was my FAVORITE movie for years. I even had the record! What sort of drugs was I on. Oh, none, I was in the 5th grade. And I obviously thought ONJ ruled the universe - lol.

why....why....WHY!! Why did I just watch the full 3 min 21 seconds of that video...! I think I was trying to relive my childhood...going to roller rinks, yes with legwarmers and different colored sparkly laces on my skates as well.

Thanks for the laughs once again Dawn...I haven't thought one iota of Xanadu in...I don't know...let's say...at least 25 years. Now it is emblazoned in my mind for all of eternity once more.

Thanks for the memories. I'm not going to get "The Hustle" out of my head for a long time. That was the soundtrack to my 7th and 8th grade years. We knew all the different dance versions. I remember the wrap-around skirt I wore while dancing it, too. I remember how cool we all thought we were.

That video is so wacky! What year did it come out? Look at those background dancers - they have so many clothes on! And, these days, ONJ never would have appeared in that halter-top dress without implants.

And were those guys dressed up as Amish or as Hasids? Couldn't tell...

I just ran across your blog. But I have to say Thanks so much for the flashback. I hadn't thought of that movie since I took my own son to the skate rink when he was about 10 and he is 20 now. It was a great memory!! Made me laugh at how when I was little, I wanted to watch that movie over and over and over.

I live in a VERY small town and every Saturday evening from October til April (except holiday weekends) we roller skate at our community building from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. (Curfew is 9:30 and they blow the fire whistle once to let you know it is time to be home if you are under 18.) It is organized by the community club and the money raised supports the after school club, fire dept., playground, little league, historical society and whatever other needs the community has. All of the people who staff it are volunteers, two of them are in their 80's and still skate. The fire dept. also runs the concession stand. (Hot dogs, pizza, soda, candy and water, nothing more than 75 cents.) Skating draws a crowd of about 300 most Saturdays. It is super cheap family fun. $2 to get in, $1 to rent skates, no roller blades permitted. You can pretty much take a couple of kids with a $20 bill and come home with change. They do some "specials" like the limbo, macarena, Mexican hat dance, hokey pokey and the chicken dance. Every now and then they even put on the LP of the old organ tunes, but mostly they play pop tunes. We joke that most kids in town learn to skate before they learn to walk. I love the skating program and how it helps our community.

Wow. That's pretty much all I can say! I remember when my older sister went to see Xanadu in the theater, but I was only 5 or so and wasn't invited. So, I've never seen this interesting movie. Nice special effects!! I spent many a Saturday at the roller rink when I was a young child... fun stuff.

Am so disappointed that there is no video of DISCO BOB! Maybe you should go back to the rink next week with your video camera and get us some footage.BTW, love the blog. We would so be friends - except for the fact that you have preschoolers - just kidding.And please please please, do not take to heart what the haters say. I have found, in my experience, that those who preach loudly about what a horrible parenting job you are doing, are normally not great parents themselves. I do not believe that perfect behavior is the only reflection of great parenting. Your children are interesting, creative, compassionate children. Those qualities are more important than obedience and good behavior.Just wanted to share the love.

Oh, Dawn, pleeease don't make sure all your stories have a point. That's what makes reading your blog such fun - we never know what you'll write about next, but we always know the whole point is just to enjoy whatever life throws our way whether it makes sense or not! If I get a vote then I vote "don't change a thing!"

The hottest boys were the ones who could backward skate we gave them nicknames and tried to get their attention by being nonchalant. (that might have included falling in front of them or skating past and staring right at them 100 times).

We took our kids to the roller rink not to long ago and it brought back tonnes of memories. Sadly I'm pretty sure that one of the um, gentlemen...had been there 20 years ago and lucky for all of us he still had the same outfit! Good times.

Up until 10 minutes ago I had never heard of Xanadu the movie, play, or song. And all I can say is, Dawn? What the???? What was that?? I think I need to stare at a blank wall so that maybe my mind will reboot and the last 15 minutes will somehow be forever erased from my memory bank...

I just joined a roller derby league. I'm enthusiastic but a crap skater, so my derby name is "Gravity Kills." It's a ton of fun, though, and the ladies are all nuts and a blast to hang out with. They do, actually, still make quad (old-fashioned 4 wheeled) skates... Dick's Sporting Goods has some online, and you can find other ($100+) skates on specialty sites.

Oh, and Xanadu was one of my favorite films as a little girl. I can't really remember the full plot anymore, though...but I could sing half the soundtrack. :)

You know, for someone who grew up when roller skating was popular, I'm sort of surprised you didn't immediately recognize the dancing while on skates. It's a shame you didn't have the video camera with you for the birthday... and accidentally managed to sneak in shots of Disco Bob.

And I so get the later party. Mister Man's birthday is in October, and his party will be November 1 or 15. Such is as it is!

That video along with Space Coasters, New Zoo Review, and many other childhood torturous TV shows of the 70's is proof positive they were smokin something back then. Wonder why we grew up the way we did.

Okay, I have to admit I went to IMDB and looked up the movie. For those who want more, here's the trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3923902745/ . The male lead was a guy named Michael Beck. I remember enjoying the movie, saw it once or twice. I've also done my share of roller skating. Thanks for the memories!

Saw your blog listed on Andie's site and have to say, "I LOVE XANADU"!! I'm such a closeted freak in that respect. I used to babysit a little boy who's mom had the LP and we'd listen to that thing everytime I'd babysit him. LOVE IT!

My husband of almost 25 years thinks she hung the moon and I let him. We also have 6 kids and they all know that she is dad's girlfriend. They love Grease and everytime it's on we hear "lets watch Dad's girlfriend". I had totally forgotten about this movie. Maybe I need to find it and torture the kids.

Oh my goodness - you MUST hear Deirdre Flint's song, "King of the Rollerama!" It totally would fit with this post!! - it's actually available for (freebie) download at her site: http://www.deirdreflint.com/music.html.

Come to think of it.. if you listen to "The Boob Fairy" and "The Bridesmaid Dress Song," I'm sure you'll have more fodder for your blog! (not rated x, I promise... you'll just crack up listening to her stuff - she's hilarious!!).

ok, i don't think i am that young, but i missed the whole xanadu thing. i couldn't make more than a few seconds of that clip either! what's so funny is that i am watching psych and guess what it's about? roller derby! and they actually mentioned xanadu. if it hadn't been for you i wouldn't have known what it was about! see, it wasn't pointless. oh and i vote that you video disco bob too!

I'm a HUGE fan of Xanadu! The movie wasn't all that great if you go looking for a plot, but the music was awesome. ONJ is one of my all-time favorite singers. Barry Manilow is THE favorite for me. :) Yeah, I'm getting old. LOL